Amazon is bidding to buy Fox’s 22 regional sports networks

Amazon is among several other organizations that are bidding to acquire all 22 of Disney’s regional sports networks, which were formally owned by Fox, according to CNBC. Disney, who already owns ESPN, is forced to sell the networks as a condition of their pending acquisition of 21st Century Fox. If Amazon wins, they would gain broadcast rights to over 40 MLB, NBA, and NHL teams. These games could potentially be offered for free to Prime members, much like Amazon’s existing streams of Thursday Night Football and upcoming Premier League soccer games. Over 40 parties have expressed interest in acquiring these channels, but only Amazon and a few others have actually participated in the first round of bidding. The new Fox company, which consists of the assets not included in Disney’s acquisition, such as cable networks Fox News, Fox Business, and Fox Sports, did not participate in the first round of bids but is said to bid in the second round.